Filter

ABSTRACT

A filter is disclosed. The filter includes a sheet of filter media defining a body having an upper portion, a lower portion, a first end surface proximate the upper portion, a second end surface proximate the lower portion, and a first side surface extending between the first and second end surfaces. One or more of the upper and lower portions define a ledge, wherein the ledge defines a third end surface arranged between the first and second end surfaces, and a second side surface extending between the first and third end surfaces; and a seal disposed upon the ledge. A method for manufacturing the seal is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/192,651 filed on Aug. 15, 2008, which isentirely incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates to filters.

BACKGROUND

Various filters are known in the art for filtering fluid as it passesthrough a fluid path. Filters include, in part, filter media whichremoves impurities from a fluid, such as, for example, oil or fuel thatpasses through filter media.

In most applications, either the filter or the filter media associatedtherewith must be periodically replaced to reduce the potential ofdeveloping unacceptably high impedance in the fluid path flowrestriction.

While known filters have proven to be acceptable for variousapplications, such conventional filters are nevertheless susceptible toimprovements that may enhance their overall performance and cost.Therefore, a need exists to develop improved filters that advance theart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will now be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filter of FIG. 1 according toline 2-2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the filter according to line 3 of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sheet of filter media being preparedinto a substantially cylindrical body accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate perspective views of a sheet of filter media thatmay be formed into a substantially cylindrical body in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a pre-formed sheet of filter media in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a substantially cylindrical body offilter media in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the substantially cylindrical body offilter media of FIG. 7 that is modified in a precision cuttingoperation;

FIGS. 9A-9C are perspective views of a filter being manufactured inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a filter in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a filter in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a filter in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a filter in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a filter in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the filter of FIG. 15 according toline 15-15;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the filter according to line 16 of FIG.15 ; and

FIG. 17 is a method for manufacturing a filter in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of a filter in accordancewith embodiments of the invention and based on the foregoing, it is tobe generally understood that the nomenclature used herein is simply forconvenience and the terms used to describe the invention should be giventhe broadest meaning by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1-2 , a filter 10 is shown according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the filter 10 generallycomprises a cylindrical shape. It will be appreciated, however, that thefilter 10 is not limited to include any particular shape or design andthat the filter 10 may include any desirable shape or design.

The filter 10 is generally defined to include filter media, which isshown generally at 12. In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 4 , the filtermedia 12 includes a sheet 14 of filter material that is rolled orwrapped to generally define a substantially cylindrical body 16. Thesubstantially cylindrical body 16 generally defines an axial passage 18.In an embodiment, the sheet 14 is rolled or wrapped about a centralaxis, A-A, that is shown extending through the axial passage 18.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the substantially cylindrical body 16 defines anupper portion 20 and a lower portion 22. In an embodiment, thesubstantially cylindrical body 16 is defined by a height, H, and adiameter, D.

It will be appreciated that the sheet 14 of filter media 12 may bedefined by any desirable number of layers, patterns, configurations orthe like. For example, in an embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 5A-5C, thesheet 14 of filter media 12 may include one or more layers or the likedefined by, for example, corrugations 24, embossments 26, asubstantially flat, planar surface 28, or the like. In an embodiment,the sheet 14 of filter media 12 may also include one or more end beads30.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the filter media 12 further defines a first axialend surface 32 proximate the upper portion 20 and a second axial endsurface 34 proximate the lower portion 22. In an embodiment, the firstaxial end surface 32 is arranged opposite the second axial end surface34.

In an embodiment, the filter media 12 further defines an outercircumferential side surface 36 and an inner circumferential sidesurface 38. In an embodiment, the inner circumferential side surface 38defines the axial passage 18.

In an embodiment the filter 10 includes a first core plug 40 disposedadjacent the first axial end surface 32 and extending axially into theaxial passage 18. In an embodiment, the filter 10 includes a second coreplug 42 disposed adjacent the second axial end surface 34 and extendingaxially into the axial passage 18. In an embodiment, the first andsecond core plugs 40, 42 may include any desirable plastic material,such as, for example, Nylon

In an embodiment, the filter 10 includes a ring 44. In an embodiment,the ring 44 includes a radial portion 46 and an axial portion 48. In anembodiment, the radial portion 46 is disposed substantially adjacent thesecond axial end surface 34, and the axial portion 48 is disposedsubstantially adjacent the outer circumferential side surface 36. In anembodiment, the ring 44 may include any desirable material such as, forexample, metallic or plastic.

In an embodiment, fluid may flow through the filter 10 according to thedirection of the arrow, F. In reference to the direction of the arrow,F, the second axial end surface 34 may generally define an upstream,“dirty side” of the filter 10 that receives unfiltered, “dirty” fluidwhereas the first axial end surface 32 may generally define adownstream, “clean side” of the filter 10 that provides filtered,“clean” fluid. However, it will be appreciated that the filter 10 is notlimited to the above-described fluid flow according to the direction ofthe arrow, F, and, if desired, the first axial end surface 32 may definethe upstream, “dirty side” of the filter 10, and, the second axial endsurface 34 may define the downstream, “clean side” of the filter 10.

In an embodiment, if, for example, the first axial end surface 32 is thedownstream, “clean side” of the filter 10, a seal 50 may be disposed atleast proximate the upper portion 20 of the substantially cylindricalbody 16. When the filter 10 is disposed inside of a filter housing (notshown), the seal 50 is located substantially adjacent the filter housingand proximate a passage (not shown) formed in the filter housing.Functionally, the seal 50 prevents potentially unfiltered, “dirty fluid”from escaping the filter housing through the filter housing passage.Accordingly, the seal 50 prevents the mixing of “dirty fluid” with the“clean fluid” such that the filtered, “clean fluid” may leave the filterhousing through the filter housing passage by way of the fluid movingthrough the filter 10 according to the direction of the arrow, F.

In an embodiment, the seal 50 is disposed upon a stepped ledge 52 of thesubstantially cylindrical body 16. In an embodiment, the stepped ledge52 is formed proximate the upper portion 20 of the substantiallycylindrical body 16.

Although the ledge 52 is described as a “stepped” ledge, it will beappreciated that the ledge 52 is not limited to define a “step” or anyparticular shape or dimension. Functionally, the ledge 52 provides alocation on the substantially cylindrical body 16 for receiving the seal50. Accordingly, for example, the ledge 52 may include any desirablesize or shape that may permit reception of the seal 50 such as, forexample, an arcuate shape, a concave shape, a convex shape, afrustoconical shape, a constant slope, an irregular slope, or the like.

In an embodiment, the stepped ledge 52 generally defines thesubstantially cylindrical body 16 to have a reduction of its height, H,and a reduction of its diameter, D, which is shown generally at H_(R)and D_(R), respectively, in FIG. 2 . In an embodiment, the stepped ledge52 further defines the substantially cylindrical body 16 to include athird axial end surface 54 and a second outer circumferential sidesurface 56. The third axial end surface 54 and the second outercircumferential side surface 56 are both proximate the upper portion 20of the substantially cylindrical body 16.

As illustrated, the third axial end surface 54 is arranged between thefirst and second axial end surfaces 32, 34. Further, the secondcircumferential side surface 56 extends between the first and thirdaxial end surfaces 32, 54.

The stepped ledge 52 may be formed or provided in any desirable fashion.For example, in an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 6 , a sheet of filtermaterial 14 _(R) may be pre-formed in any desirable configuration priorto being rolled or wrapped upon itself to define the substantiallycylindrical body 16. For example, the pre-formed sheet 14 _(R) may bedefined to have a length, L, including a first length portion, L₁, and asecond length portion, L₂. In an embodiment, the first length portion,L₁, defines the height, H, and the second length portion, L₂, definesthe reduced height, H_(R).

In reference to FIG. 6 , the sheet of filter material 14 _(R) is wrappedupon itself from right to left to define the substantially cylindricalbody 16. Accordingly, when wrapped upon itself, the first lengthportion, L₁, generally defines the reduced diameter, D_(R), having theheight, H, and, the second length portion, L₂, generally defines thediameter, D, having the reduced height, H_(R).

In an embodiment, the stepped ledge 52 may be formed without providing apre-formed sheet 14 _(R) as described above. For example, as seen inFIG. 7 , in an embodiment, the sheet 14 may include a length havingsimilar height, H, and, upon rolling or wrapping the sheet 14 about theaxis, A-A, upon itself to define the substantially cylindrical body 16,the substantially cylindrical body 16 defines the diameter, D. Then, asseen in FIG. 8 , a precision cutting operation, for example, may beperformed on the substantially cylindrical body 16 in order to remove aportion 16 _(R) of the substantially cylindrical body 16. Asillustrated, the removed portion 16 _(R) generally defines a ring of thesubstantially cylindrical body 16 that is removed proximate, forexample, the upper portion 20 of the substantially cylindrical body 16.Accordingly, upon eliminating the ring 16 _(R) from the substantiallycylindrical body 16, the stepped ledge 52 is formed to permit laterdepositing of the seal 50 upon the ledge 52. In an embodiment, a knife,K, laser, Z, or the like may be utilized to remove the ring 16 _(R) fromthe substantially cylindrical body 16.

In another embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 9A-9C, the precision cuttingoperation may be conducted in an operation that involves thesimultaneous wrapping of the sheet 14 upon itself while a portion of thesheet 14 is removed. For example, as seen in FIG. 9A, the formation ofthe substantially cylindrical body 16 may be initiated by obtaining anend of the sheet 14 and wrapping the sheet 14 about the axis, A-A, uponitself. Then, as seen in FIGS. 9B and 9C, once it has been determinedthat the sheet 14 has been wrapped about the axis, A-A, to provide thesubstantially cylindrical body 16 with the reduced diameter, D_(R) (see,e.g., FIG. 9B), the knife, K, or laser, Z, may be actuated to remove aportion of the height, H, of the sheet 14 as the wrapping of the sheet14 about the axis, A-A, is continued. Once it has been determined thatthe diameter, D (see, e.g., FIG. 9C), of the substantially cylindricalbody 16 has been achieved, the wrapping of the sheet 14 about the axis,A-A is ceased.

In order to accomplish the above-identified steps that includes the stepof actuating, as seen in FIG. 9B, the knife, K, or laser, Z, during thewrapping of the sheet 14 about the axis, A-A, a sensor and/or processormay be included to provide the stepped ledge 52 in an automated process.For example, a sensor may monitor the wrapping of the sheet 14 uponitself, and, upon wrapping the sheet 14 to define the reduced diameter,D_(R), the sensor may communicate with the processor such that theprocessor may actuate the knife, K, or laser, Z. Although a sensor andprocessor are described above, it will be appreciated that the processis not limited to include a sensor and/or processor and that anydesirable type and number of components may be included to communicatein any desirable manner to provide the substantially cylindrical body 16with the stepped ledge 52.

In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3 , the third axial end surface 54 ofthe stepped ledge 52 is generally defined by the outer three-to-fivewraps of the sheet 14, 14 _(R) about the axis, A-A. Although theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 3 shows the third axial end surface 54being defined by three-to-five wraps of the sheet 14, 14 _(R), it willbe appreciated that the third axial end surface 54 may be defined by anydesirable number of wraps of the sheet 14, 14 _(R).

Once the stepped ledge 52 has been formed, the seal 50 may be depositedon the stepped ledge 52 in any desirable manner. In an embodiment,substantially cylindrical body 16 may be disposed in a mold tool and theseal 50 may be molded over the stepped ledge 52 in an injection moldingoperation. In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3 , during the moldingoperation, the material defining the seal 50 may be permitted to flowbetween the three-to-five wraps of the sheet 14, 14 _(R) in order todefine fingers 58 extending from the seal 50 that extend substantiallyaxially into the substantially cylindrical body 16 to create amechanical bond of the seal 50 with the substantially cylindrical body16.

In an embodiment, upon molding the seal 50 over the stepped ledge 52,the seal becomes integral with and adheres to the substantiallycylindrical body 16. In an embodiment, the seal may not be integral withthe substantially cylindrical body or adhered thereto. By molding theseal 50 in the manner described above, the seal 50 may be provided withthe substantially cylindrical body 16 without providing additionalcomponents/structure to clip, fasten or retain the seal 50 to thesubstantially cylindrical body 16. In an embodiment, the seal 50 mayinclude a polyurethane material.

In an embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 , prior to molding the seal50 upon the stepped ledge 52, a retaining ring 60 may be disposedadjacent the stepped ledge 52 such that, upon molding the seal 50 overthe stepped ledge 52, the retaining ring 60 becomes encapsulated betweenthe substantially cylindrical body 16 and the seal 50. Functionally, theretaining ring 60 increases the rigidity to the upper portion 20 of thesubstantially cylindrical body 16.

In an embodiment, the rigidifying ring 60 includes an upper surface 62,a lower surface 64, an inner surface 66 and an outer surface 68. In anembodiment, the rigidifying ring 60 may include one or more passages 70.In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 10 , the one or more passages 70extend through the rigidifying ring 60, from the inner surface 66 to theouter surface 68. In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 11 , the one or morepassages 70 extend through the rigidifying ring 60, from the uppersurface 62 to the lower surface 64. In an embodiment, the one or morepassages 70 permits the material of the seal 50 to flow therethrough inorder to increase the mechanical bond of the rigidifying ring 60 and theseal 50.

In an embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the inner surface 66 isdisposed adjacent the second outer circumferential side surface 56 andthe lower surface 64 is disposed adjacent the third axial end surface54. As seen in FIG. 10 , the inner surface 66 includes a greaterdimension than that of the lower surface 64; conversely, as seen in FIG.11 , the lower surface 64 includes a greater dimension than that of theinner surface 66. In an embodiment, the rigidifying ring 60 may includeany desirable material, such as, for example plastic or metallic.

Referring to FIG. 12 , in an embodiment, a shell 72 may be disposedadjacent the substantially cylindrical body 16 prior to molding the seal50 over the stepped ledge 52. In an embodiment, the shell 72 includes anaxial portion 74 disposed substantially adjacent the outercircumferential side surface 36, a first radial portion 75 extendingradially inwardly toward the central axis, A-A, and disposedsubstantially adjacent the third axial end surface 54, and a secondradial portion 76 extending radially inwardly toward the central axis,A-A, and disposed substantially adjacent the second axial end surface34. As similarly described above, the seal 50 is disposed over thestepped ledge 52, and, as a result, encapsulates the first radialportion 75 between the seal 50 and the substantially cylindrical body16. In an embodiment, the shell 72 may include any desirable plasticmaterial, such as, for example nylon.

Referring to FIG. 13 , in an embodiment, a shell 78 may be disposedadjacent the substantially cylindrical body 16 prior to molding the seal50 over the stepped ledge 52. In an embodiment, the shell 78 includes afirst axial portion 80 disposed substantially adjacent the outercircumferential side surface 36, a radial portion 82 extending radiallyoutwardly away from the central axis, A-A, and a second axial portion 84extending axially away from the radial portion 82. The first axialportion 80 of the shell 78 may be adhered, for example, proximate thelower portion 22 of the substantially cylindrical body 16 with, forexample, an adhesive.

Functionally, the shell 78 is not encapsulated by the seal 50 asdescribed in the embodiments discussed above. The seal 50, as associatedwith the shell 78, however, is formed on the stepped ledge 52 in asubstantially cantilevered manner such that the seal 50 extends radiallyoutwardly away from the central axis, A-A, and past the outercircumferential side surface 36 of the substantially cylindrical body16. Accordingly, the radial portion 82 and the second axial portion 84function by substantially retaining and/or supporting a portion 86 ofthe seal 50 that extends radially outwardly and past the outercircumferential side surface 36. In an embodiment, the shell 78 mayinclude any desirable plastic material, such as, for example nylon.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the shape and associated function of the seal 50is described. The seal 50 generally includes a radial base portion 88disposed substantially adjacent the third axial end surface 54. The seal50 generally includes a first axial portion 90 disposed substantiallyadjacent the second outer circumferential side surface 56. The seal 50generally includes a second axial portion 92. The first and second axialportions 90, 92 extend axially away from the radial base portion 88.

The first and second axial portions 90, 92 generally define a recess 94that terminates at a valley 96 defined by the radial base portion 88.Referring to FIG. 17 , in an embodiment, the recess 94 is created in amethod 200 by providing, S.201, the filter media 12 into a mold toolcavity, which includes a protrusion extending from a surface of the moldcavity that corresponds to the shape/contour of the recess 94.Functionally, the protrusion extending from the surface of the moldcavity acts as a dam, S.203, during a molding procedure that results inmaterial (e.g., polyurethane) provided/injected, S.202, into the moldtool cavity to be directed between the wraps of the sheet 14 in order toform the seal 50 with the fingers 58, S.204.

Further, after removing the filter 10 from the mold tool, the resultingrecess 94 formed by the protrusion of the mold tool may permit insertionand receipt of a substantially circumferential lip (not shown) of thefilter housing within the seal 50. In an embodiment, the lip may definethe passage formed in the filter housing that receives the filtered,“clean fluid.” Further, in an embodiment, the recess 94 may be filledwith any desirable material, such as, for example, a caulking material,to increase the strength of the seal 50. The first and second axialportions 90, 92 also include peaks 98 that are to be located adjacentthe filter housing and proximate the filter housing passage.

Referring to FIG. 14-16 , a filter 100 is shown according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the filter 100generally comprises an oval shape. It will be appreciated, however, thatthe filter 100 is not limited to include any particular shape or designand that the filter 100 may include any desirable shape or design.

The filter 100 is generally defined to include filter media, which isshown generally at 102. In an embodiment, filter media 102 issubstantially similar to the filter media 12 as shown and describedabove in FIG. 4 with the exception that the filter media 102 includes asheet 104 that is wrapped to define a substantially oval body 106 ratherthan a substantially cylindrical body. In an embodiment, thesubstantially oval body 106 generally defines an axial passage 108. Inan embodiment, the sheet 104 may be wrapped upon itself to form asubstantially oval body 106 that does not form the passage 108. Further,in an embodiment, the passage 108 may be sealed with any desirablematerial, such as, for example, a hot melt glue and a core plug may beomitted. In an embodiment, the passage 108 may be sealed as describedabove and core plugs may additionally be included. In an embodiment, thesubstantially oval body 106 defines an upper portion 110 and a lowerportion 112.

In an embodiment the filter 100 includes a first core plug 114 disposedadjacent a first axial end surface 116 and extending axially into theaxial passage 108. In an embodiment, the filter 100 includes a secondcore plug 118 disposed adjacent a second axial end surface 120 andextending axially into the axial passage 108. In an embodiment, thefirst and second core plugs 114, 118 may include any desirable plasticmaterial, such as, for example, nylon.

In an embodiment, the substantially oval body 106 includes a steppedledge 122 that is formed proximate the upper portion 110 in a mannersimilarly described above in FIGS. 6-9C. In an embodiment, a seal 124 isdeposited upon the stepped ledge 122 in a manner similarly describedabove, such as, for example, a molding operation. As similarly describedabove, the material of the seal 124 may flow between the three-to-fiveouter wraps of the substantially oval body 106 to define fingers 126.

In an embodiment, the seal 124 is disposed upon the stepped ledge 122 ina cantilevered manner as similarly shown and described in FIG. 13 . Inan embodiment, the filter 100 includes a shell 128 as similarlydescribed above in FIG. 13 having a first axial portion 130, a radialportion 132 extending from the axial portion 130 and a second axialportion 134 extending axially away from the radial portion 132. One ormore of the radial portion 132 and the second axial portion 134 functionby substantially retaining and/or supporting a portion 136 of the seal124 that extends radially outwardly and past the outer circumferentialside surface 138.

The present invention has been described with reference to certainexemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention inspecific forms other than those of the exemplary embodiments describedabove. This may be done without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and shouldnot be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention isdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by thepreceding description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter comprising: a sheet of fluted filtermedia having a first end surface, a second end surface opposite thefirst end surface, a first side surface extending between the first endsurface and the second end surface, a third end surface extending fromthe first side surface, and a second side surface extending between thefirst end surface and the third end surface, the third end surfacedefining a first axially-extending flute and a second axially-extendingflute, the second axially-extending flute disposed between the firstaxially-extending flute and the first side surface; and a seal disposedupon the third end surface and the second side surface and including afirst finger disposed within the first axially-extending flute and asecond finger disposed within the second axially-extending flute.
 2. Thefilter according to claim 1, wherein the seal includes a base portiondisposed substantially adjacent the third end surface, a first portionextending from the base portion, wherein the first portion is disposedsubstantially adjacent the second side surface, and a second portionextending from the base portion, wherein the first and second portionsdefine a recess that terminates at a valley defined by the base portion,wherein the first and second portions define peaks.
 3. The filteraccording to claim 1, wherein the sheet of filter media defines anaxially-extending passage disposed between the first end surface and thesecond end surface along a central axis of the filter.
 4. The filteraccording to claim 1, wherein the sheet of filter media includes a firstlayer having corrugations and a second layer coupled to thecorrugations.
 5. The filter according to claim 4, wherein the secondlayer is flat.
 6. The filter according to claim 1, further comprising aretaining ring disposed between the third end surface and the seal. 7.The filter according to claim 1, further comprising a shell disposedadjacent the first side surface.
 8. The filter according to claim 7,wherein a portion of the shell is disposed between the third end surfaceand the seal.
 9. The filter according to claim 8, wherein a portion ofthe seal is cantilevered relative the filter media, and wherein aportion of the shell supports the portion of the seal.
 10. A filtercomprising: a sheet of fluted filter media having an end surface, a sidesurface extending transverse to the end surface, and a stepped surfacedisposed between the end surface and the side surface and extendingtransverse to the side surface, the stepped surface defining a firstaxially-extending flute and a second axially-extending flute disposedbetween the first axially-extending flute and the side surface; and aseal disposed upon the stepped surface and including a first fingerdisposed within the first axially-extending flute and a second fingerdisposed within the second axially-extending flute.
 11. The filteraccording to claim 10, wherein the seal includes a base portion disposedsubstantially adjacent the stepped surface, a first portion extendingfrom the base portion, wherein the first portion is disposedsubstantially adjacent the side surface, and a second portion extendingfrom the base portion, wherein the first and second portions define arecess that terminates at a valley defined by the base portion, whereinthe first and second portions define peaks.
 12. The filter according toclaim 10, wherein the sheet of filter media defines an axially-extendingpassage disposed in the end surface and extending along a central axisof the filter.
 13. The filter according to claim 10, wherein the sheetof filter media includes a first layer having corrugations and a secondlayer coupled to the corrugations.
 14. The filter according to claim 10,further comprising a retaining ring disposed between the stepped surfaceand the seal.
 15. The filter according to claim 10, further comprising ashell disposed adjacent the side surface.
 16. The filter according toclaim 15, wherein a portion of the shell is disposed between the steppedsurface and the seal.
 17. The filter according to claim 16, wherein aportion of the seal is cantilevered relative the filter media, andwherein a portion of the shell supports the portion of the seal.
 18. Afilter comprising: a sheet of fluted filter media having an end surface,a first side surface extending transverse to the end surface, and astepped surface disposed between the end surface and the first sidesurface and extending transverse to the first side surface, and a secondside surface extending transverse to the stepped surface; and a sealincluding a base portion directly engaging the stepped surface, a firstportion extending from the base portion and disposed substantiallyadjacent the second side surface, and a second portion extending fromthe base portion, wherein the first and second portions define anannular recess terminating at the base portion.
 19. The filter accordingto claim 18, wherein the stepped surface defines a firstaxially-extending flute and a second axially-extending flute, andwherein the seal includes a first finger disposed within the firstaxially-extending flute and a second finger disposed within the secondaxially-extending flute.
 20. The filter according to claim 19, whereinthe first and second portions extend in a first axial direction, and thefirst finger and the second finger extend in a second axial directionopposite the first axial direction.